Description
At its core, Christmas Poke Cake is a fun and colorful twist on a classic poke cake. The cake itself is simple: a light, fluffy vanilla base, but the magic happens when you poke holes into it and fill those holes with bright red and green gelatin or creamy pudding. The cake absorbs the colorful filling, creating a beautiful swirled effect that is perfect for the holiday season. The final touch is a generous layer of whipped topping and festive sprinkles or candy pieces to complete the look.
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 box white or vanilla cake mix
Ingredients listed on box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
For the filling:
Option 1 – Gelatin version (bright, colorful):
1 (3 oz) box red Jell-O (cherry or strawberry)
1 (3 oz) box green Jell-O (lime)
2 cups boiling water (1 cup per flavor)
2 cups cold water (1 cup per flavor)
Option 2 – Pudding version (creamy & rich):
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
1 box instant pistachio pudding mix (3.4 oz)
4 cups milk (2 cups per flavor)
For the topping:
1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)
Red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint
Optional: white chocolate curls, mini M&Ms, or holiday candies
Instructions
1. Bake the cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare cake mix according to package directions in a 9×13-inch pan.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean (about 30–35 minutes).
Cool for 10–15 minutes.
2. Poke holes:
Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw, poke holes evenly across the top of the cake (about 1 inch apart).
3. Add the filling:
👉 For Gelatin version:
Dissolve each color Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water.
Stir in 1 cup cold water per flavor.
Pour each color alternately into the holes (use a spoon for control).
👉 For Pudding version:
Prepare puddings separately with milk.
Spoon or pipe pudding into holes, alternating colors for a festive look.
4. Chill:
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours (or overnight for best flavor).
5. Add the topping:
Spread whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake.
Decorate with holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chocolate curls.
6. Serve:
Slice into squares and serve cold. Each bite will reveal colorful red and green streaks — perfect for Christmas celebrations!
Notes
This festive Christmas poke cake is a colorful and crowd-pleasing dessert! For an extra holiday touch, top it with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, or red and green sprinkles before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
Keywords: Holiday poke cake, festive poke cake, Christmas dessert, Christmas cake